Dry matter accumulation and seasonal partitioning in mature Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill. fruiting trees

Aim of this study was to understand the allocation of biomass into different canopy and root components and to measure the stem area index and its partitioning by cladode functionality (age), for fruiting Opuntia ficus-indica (OFI) Gialla trees, spaced 6¥5 m apart and trained to a globe. The net primary productivity (NPP), calculated taking into account dry weight gain for above-ground vegetative components of OFI trees was 3.6 t C ha–1. Including the fruit component and 1st flush current-year cladodes, NPP of above-ground components becomes 12 t ha–1, equivalent to 5.4 t C ha–1. Current-year cladodes were the highest C sink (49% of total annual C fixed in the canopy), secondary growth accounted for 22% of C fixation and the fruit component for 29%. This study demonstrated that OFI trees, grown in a commercial fruit orchard, couple high productivity, in terms of fruit yield and harvest index, with relevant C fixed in the canopy

Effects of modified atmosphere packaging on quality parameters of minimally processed table grapes during cold storage

‘Vittoria’ and ‘Red Globe’ table grapes were packed in microperforated polypropylene films (passive MAP) and non-perforated polyethylene (active MAP: 1) 20% CO2 + air; 2) 5% O2 + 15% CO2 + N) and stored at 5 °C for 28 days. Microperforated polypropylene packages had the highest postharvest performance in both cultivars until 14 days of cold storage, with reduced weight losses, rachis and berry decay. Total soluble solids content slightly increased in non-perforated polyethylene boxes as a consequence of the higher weight losses, particularly in active MAP with 5% O2 + 15% CO2 + N, while no significant differences were found for titratable acidity. Non-perforated polyethylene packages showed excessively high CO2 concentrations (30-60%) in headspace gas composition, causing berry and rachis decay. The highest post harvest performances in terms of weight losses, Total soluble solids, titratable acidity, crunchiness, juiciness and berry decay were found with micro-perforated polypropylene packages after 14 d of 5 °C cold storage, and 6 days of shelf-life (15-18°C)

Evaluation of quality attributes and consumer preference of fresh or imported mangoes in Italy

Mango is a climacteric fruit with a very short shelf-life due to its rapid ripeness after harvest. Generally, fruit from tropical countries and directed to longer transportation (EU markets), are in general harvested firm, before complete ripening (mature-green stage). This harvest practice usefully for mango fruit storability and transportability, generally causes fruits quality and taste decrease. The present study was conducted to evaluate quality attributes and consumer preference of fresh or imported mangoes in Italy. Mango fruit imported from abroad (cv Keitt, Kent and Osteen) were collected from 2 different large-scale organized distribution markets (LD). Mango fruits (cv Keitt, Kent and Osteen) produced in Italy, were harvested from a commercial orchard (Furiano, Messina), at mature-green (GR) and mature-ripe stage (MR). Imported and local mango fruits were analyzed in terms of firmness, total soluble solids content (TSS), titratable acidity (TA) and flesh disorders. Both categories of mango fruits (imported and local) were subjected to sensory evaluation and consumer acceptability. Our results confirmed that mango ripening leads to increased expression of quality and sensory attributes, as well as, aromas, tropical flavor, and taste. Mango fruit harvested in Italy (local) showed the best quality performances in terms of weight, firmness, TSS and TA. Sensorial analysis and consumer test, confirmed this behavior, in fact, these quality attributes, were perceived by the trained panel and by the consumers, that preferred local mango fruits

Ficodindia

Lo studio degli alberi e la scienza delle coltivazioni distinguono un’Arboricoltura generale da un’altra speciale. Classificazione dottrinaria, questa, ormai consolidata. Pur essendo entrambe dettate dagli stessi principi teorici, trattano in modo complementare ed integrato le modalità tecniche delle loro applicazioni pratiche. Il volume Arboricoltura speciale, pubblicato da Edagricole, colma finalmente un’esigenza molto sentita dal mondo accademico e dal sistema mediatico di informazione pubblica, di crescente importanza, sempre più attento al recupero delle funzioni degli alberi nel mondo in cui viviamo ficus-indica L. (Mill.) (OFI), comunemente nota come ficodindia, appartiene alla famiglia delle Cactaceae, sottofamiglia delle Opuntioideae, che contiene circa 130 generi e quasi 1.500 specie, tutte originarie del Continente americano. L’Opuntia ficus-indica, in particolare, è una specie originaria degli altopiani del Messico centrale

Fruit Ripening Evolution in Settembrina di Leonforte and Gialla Tardiva di Leonforte Peach [Prunus persica (L.) Batsch] Ecotypes

The aim of this research was to define the most appropriate harvesting time for the late ripening peach ecotypes Gialla Tardiva di Leonforte and Settembrina di Leonforte. Farmers used to apply a paper bag to each fruit to protect it from Mediterranean fruit fly egg-laying. The use of this cultivation practice reduces the use of pesticides with a major impact on consumer choice, but makes it more difficult to identify fruit commercial harvest time. The study was carried out using destructive quality indexes and the DA-Meter. The results showed a good correlation between DA-Meter classes and the chemical and physical characteristics of the fruit, giving useful information on fruit ripening and for of harvest time

The Influence of Fruit Ripening Stage at Harvest and Storage Temperature on ‘Bianca di Bivona’ White Flesh Peaches

‘Bianca di Bivona’ is a white-flesh peach cultivar, which ripens during the last week of July and the first of August. Its fruit are known because of their distinct flavor and aroma, which make them highly accepted, particularly in the local markets. However, nothing is known about their postharvest physiology and storage conditions. In order to investigate the effect of: (a) fruit ripening stage at harvest and, (b) storage temperatures, ‘Bianca di Bivona’ peaches were picked at mature-green, (60.0±1.3 N), and ripe stage (30.7 ± 2.1 N) determined by flesh firmness, and then stored at 0°C and 5°C (90% RH). Flesh firmness, total soluble solids, titratable acidity, weight loss and DA index, measured with a DA-Meter, were evaluated after harvest and every 7 days during a 4 weeks storage period. Mature-green peaches after 21 days of storage at 5°C showed a rapid decline in fruit titratable acidity and flesh firmness. On the other hand, fruit storage at 0°C for 28 days did not result in significant changes of fruit titratable acidity and flesh firmness. Ripe peaches (30.7±2.1 N) stored at 5°C showed a sharp decline of flesh firmness after 7 days of storage, while their storage period lasted until 14 days at 0°C